Michigan Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) – also called Shaken Impact Syndrome — is a severe brain injury and a form of child abuse. Infants and very young children are the most susceptible because their weak neck muscles are unable to support their heads. The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome estimates that between 600 and 1,400 SBS cases occur across the country each year.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaken Baby Syndrome usually occurs when a person violently shakes a baby or young child, particularly when the child will not stop crying. The rapid shaking can result in a brain injury or worse if the child’s head hits a hard surface. Shaken Baby Syndrome is one of the leading causes of death and disability in babies in the United States.

Symptoms vary and are caused by generalized brain swelling secondary to trauma. They may appear immediately after the shaking and usually reach a peak within 4-6 hours. Because there is often no obvious evidence of violence or an apparent physical injury, SBS is underdiagnosed and may be confused with a baby’s fussiness or other cause, even by doctors and medical professionals. The following symptoms, mostly caused by brain swelling, may appear immediately after the shaking and which usually peak within four to six hours following the trauma:

• Cranial swelling
• Inability to lift the head
• Altered levels of consciousness
• Drowsiness and extreme irritability
• Breathing problems and irregularities
• Convulsions or seizures
• Vomiting
• Dilated pupils that do not respond to light
• Decreased appetite
• Cardiac arrest

A medical examination and testing may also reveal the following SBS-related conditions:

• Retinal hemorrhages
• Closed-head injury bleeding
• Cuts and lacerations
• Bruises and contusions
• Concussions
• Soft tissue swelling indicating skull or bone fractures
• Abnormally low blood pressure

What to do if your child is a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Babies with SBS can experience short- and long-term injuries with lifelong health consequences. The most severe cases of SBS result in death due to increased pressure on the brain from swelling or bleeding, and a baby who survives SBS can develop disabilities, such as:

• Cerebral palsy
• Partial or total blindness
• Chronic seizures
• Behavior disorders
• Cognitive impairment
• Learning disabilities
• Paralysis
• Epilepsy

As a type of child abuse, SBS is 100 percent preventable. Besides parents and family members, the most frequent perpetrators are:

• Daycare providers
• Babysitters, nannies, and au pairs

If you suspect that your child is a victim of SBS, there are steps you must take to protect the health, well-being, and rights of your child:

• Get medical attention immediately
• Call the police or your local Michigan child protective services agency
• Collect any witness information
• Contact an attorney

The medical community considers SBS as a product of criminal abuse, and criminal charges can be brought against the person who shook the baby. Parents and guardians can also file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator on behalf of the child to recover damages and compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Continuing medical treatment
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death

Hiring a Michigan Shaken Baby Syndrome Attorney

If your child has suffered injuries or a tragic death from SBS, contact an experienced attorney at Sommers Schwartz today. Finding a law firm to handle a Shaken Baby Syndrome lawsuit is a big decision – maybe the most important decision you will ever make.

To learn more about how we can help you and your family, contact us at (866) 753-7774 to schedule a free consultation. The phone call is free, and because we work on a contingency basis, there no fee unless we win.